The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-10-12
A CHAPLAIN AFLOAT /!
BEING THE ACCOUNT OF THE CRUISE
OF II. d. MS SHIP OF WAR THE
BLUNpERBUss " FROM PANAMA,
U. $. OF c. TO HONOLULU, H. 1.
Extracted from the Records Of the Archaic
Club.
BY PERcIvAL LESLIE.

ing as possible for human nature to
be. His face was first besmeared
with a lather composed of lamp
black and red paint, then one of the
BARRIERS seized him by the nose, put
his head well back ON the chair.
The other Selling huge wooden
razor, applied it TO his face, spread
ing the lather broadcast. This be-
ing done few seconds rest was
taken. Whilst in this suspense the
seat was suddenly capsized, and the
subject sent backwards into the
water. Here he was seized and
dragged through by several of the
assistants, and in a twinkle landed
on the deck cleansed of all dirt,
and a well christened and true son
of the sea.
Gathering himself together as
best he could, the afrightened sub
ject made Roadway for his room,
where for an hour after his mutter-
ing voice was heard, whether in
execration of his tormentors, or in
prayers for their future, it was
never known, but pious minds at
tributed the muttering to the latter
cause.
The loquacious midshipman next
followed, and going through the
same ceremony retired to his room,
as was likewise those of the crew,
who were making their first crossing
of the line.
With stately ceremony Neptune,
making his obeisance to the captain
retired from the ship. Thus ending
q day Of sport, whose observance is
as old and as honored as the Navy
itself.
On the fifth day after leaving
Panama, Payta was sighted, and
towards evening the ship was
at her anchorage in the harbor. The
prospect presented by the city was
anything but an inviting one. There
being absolutely nothing with the
exception of the church steeple that
had either Christian or a civilized
appearance. Mountains barren of
verdure or foliage make the perspec-
tive.
The following are the Chaplain's
notes of the city, verbatum ct liter
alum.
Payta is the principal seaport of
the Department of Piura in Peru,
and is situated 80 miles from San
Miguel de Piura. The town is small
and lily conditioned. The streets
are narrow-extremely dirty and
irregular, the plateau upon which
the town is built being of very small
extent. The mode of the construc-
ton of the houses, is remarkably
crude and simple. First four poles
are erected so as to form q square.
Pieces of bamboo are then nailed on
them horizontally, to form the walls,
after which the roof is put on, by
throwing straw and reeds across raf-
tiers that are laid on the walls.
With the exception of the Gus
tom House, the only object that
suggests anything like high civili-
cation is the Cathedral or as it call
ed in the native language ola lyle
STA de la Merced," situated in the
centre of the town and directly OPP
posite the "Plazzo Grande," and
offers to the sight-seer host of re-
miniscences. The appearance of
the church would suggest extreme
age-while in fact it is but ninety
years old-and is fashioned after
the architectural style of the time of
the magnificent Incas. 1t has a
broad unadorned frontage, huge,
low gate-like doorway, whilst on
either end of the building, towers or
belfrys of the simplest style arise,
with no pretence to excellence save
the peculiar oval shappened toppings.
A muddy coating is smeared over
the walls, whose sombred look gives
the appearance of age. The interior
of the building, however, is some
what attractive. The ceiling is
lofty, supported by several graceful
though widely spreading arches.
The walls, like the front are devoid
of all architectural adornment, being
covered also by muddy substance.
The main or grand altar makes
goodly claim to architectural regula-
ton. 1t is built of light grey mar
Bile. The Table is built upon a
dias elevated about twenty feet from
the ground, having an easy graceful
approach of twenty-five steps. 1t
is plain and simple, but extremely
attractive in the serenity Of it's style.
The Sanctuary is richly adorned
with articles and vestments of great
value beauty and antiquity. All
along the walls are erected large
glass cases, wherein are exposed to
view relics and waxen images.
There are no pews, the congregation
either kneel or stand during the SER
vices.
Outside of this, the only noticeable
feature, your Envoy saw on the first
visit, were nauseating looking wo-
men, hungry dogs and fieas, the lat
ter appearing to be the principal
product of the town.
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